Humor Injections: A Humor and Healthcare Blog

Sometimes We Forget the Importance of Humor

1 Sep, 2010  No Comment

I had polio when I was 4 1/2 months old…back in 1952. Obviously before the vaccine.  As much as I’d love to make this all about me, it isn’t! It’s about a friend of mine, Roger Anderson. Roger and I met in 1980 when I started playing wheelchair basketball with the local team, the Eugene Lowriders (most of the other teams called us “Lowlifers”, but that’s another story). Anyway, Roger and I, along with all the other teammates, became good friends. But as the years have gone by, we’ve lost many of them, including Roger. About 10 years ago Roger developed a brain tumor and after several months of fighting it, he died. It was a sad day for all of us, but like you wrote about in Humor Me, we were able to find some joy at Roger’s celebration of life.

During the service, those who wanted to would get up in front of the congregation at his church and speak about Roger. And all the stories were pretty much the same…Roger was a nice guy, whom everyone liked, and he helped the kids with their chairs, and if you needed anything Roger was always there…blah, blah, blah. Now, I don’t mean to by cynical, but the Roger I knew would have barfed if he’d been there! (Actually, there was something sticky on the drivers seat when I got back to the car, but I never was able to prove anything!) The Roger I knew was funny; from his hair, which was always in place, right down to the aftershave he never was without, including before he hit the court on game day! But the story that really shows Roger was one I heard about two weeks before his death.

When Roger was a child (4 or 5) and living in North Dakota, he and his brothers were playing with a bucket and gas trying to blow up stuff. A practice that is common among most rural males…my apologies if you’re a rural male! Anyway, there was an accident and Roger was burned over 80% of his body. As the years went on, he lost both his legs and had to have several surgeries. Now, fast forward to two weeks before his death. One of our friends, Loran Cushing, went to see Roger in the hospital and during this conversation, Roger mentioned that when he dies he hoped they cremated him so he can finish the job he started all those years ago! Ahhhhhh! A Rogerism if I ever heard one!

So in the midst of this tribute (at the funeral) to Roger’s “helpfulness” to friends and family, I got up and related this story to the 100+ people there. When I hit the punch line, all I heard was silence. I stood there a few seconds, although it seemed like a few hours, then the laughter started to build. It was as if people wanted to laugh but were afraid to, but it just got too funny for them to ignore. It still brings tears to my eyes to relate it all these years later.

After the service his sister, Joyce, sought me out and gave me a huge hug and thanked me for telling the story. “No one seemed to understand Roger,” she said, “until you told that story. Now everyone is talking about Roger’s sense of humor and how he always made us laugh! Thank you!”

After reading your chapter in this book, it made me realize that I hadn’t thought of Roger and the great times we had over the years for a long time. It also made me realize that I haven’t brought enough humor into my life recently as I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself since I’ve started to feel the effect of post-polio syndrome. The other article that has inspired me is the one by Michael Aronin, the guy with CP. I’ve actually seen him once a long time ago and envied him for his humor. I’ve always used humor to combat my situation, but never had the courage to do anything about it. With yours and Michael’s help, I’m moving in that direction.

Thanks Jim.  – Ron

Not Matter What Age, Humor Works

25 Aug, 2010  No Comment

Thanks to my friend Steve Wilkinson for sharing this video with me.  This is one of the best examples of using unexpected humor to make a great point.  It’s a little long but worth it.

Ron

Bill Murray Nails It When It Comes To Humor

24 Aug, 2010  2 Comments

Thanks to my friend David Glickman who alerted me to the fact that this month’s GQ magazine (it probably goes without saying that I’m not a regular subscriber) was the annual humor issue.  It was packed with great articles about humor and funny people.  Well, funny, famous, and mostly good looking people.

The highlight for me was Bill Murray’s answer to a question about how he makes something, or even nothing, funny.  He said, “Well, obviously a lot of it is rhythm.  And as often as not, it’s the surprising rhythm.  In life and in movies, you can usually guess what someone is going to say – you can actually hear it – before they say it.  But if you undercut that just a little, it can make you fall ff your chair.”

This is comedic brilliance.

For those of you who want to understand how to see and create humor in your life, look for those things which are typical or normal and then try to see them differently.  Peer through the warped glasses.  That’s where the gems of humor are found.

You can find the full article here:  Bill Murray’s GQ article

Ron

Fun with Bumber Stickers

18 Aug, 2010  No Comment

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, “I march to the beat of a different accordion.”  To me, that’s the ultimate use of humor to create a new perspective.

On Monday, there was a great article in the Washington Post titled, “Bumper sticker politics.”

I’d love to hear your favorite bumper sticker.

Ron

The Pros and Cons of Cynicism

16 Aug, 2010  No Comment

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between cynicism and humor. I admit that I’m pretty cynical these days and while my cynicism can easily lead to negative thinking, with a little effort, it can also lead to humor.

Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines a cynic as “a fault-finding captious critic.”  Of course, then I had to look up “captious” which apparently means an inclination to stress faults or raise objections.  And cynical is defined as “contemptuously distrustful.”  (Note: I cynically expect that I will never use the word “captious” in a sentence).

Essentially, cynicism is marked by fault-finding distrust and criticism.  Clearly a trait that would not be adorned by the masses.

We all know the terminal critic.  He’s the one who always complains about the weather, the temperature, and the meteorologists.  “How can they get paid for being wrong all the time?”  Or she is the one who frowns upon any discount or sale.  “There must be something wrong with it for them to sell it at such a discount.”  These people are the life of the party – at least when we watch them for our own entertainment.

Cynicism as a personality trait is not pleasant.

However, cynicism that leads to humor is pretty cool.  Let’s look at the difference.

A cynical personality looks at the world through poop colored glasses.  Everything and everyone is suspect.  There is no inherent good and conspiracy theories abound.  A true cynic is always right and everyone else is always wrong or worse yet, out to get them.  I remember Archie Bunker once saying, “I ain’t paranoid.  I know that people are out to get me.”  He’s a good example of a true cynic.

A cynihumorist, however, uses cynicism to see the absurdity and humor in everyday life.  This is the person who looks at a situation and then twists his or her head and thinks, “Hmmmm, that’s weird.”  My friend Dale Irvin, a humorist, once said that when people talk about the weather in Phoenix, they always say, “But it’s a dry heat.”  He said, “So is fire but that doesn’t mean I want to live in it.”  He took his cynicism about the weather and turned it into something funny.

Turning cynicism into humor can be a healthy way taking the high road above negativity.

So consider your approach to cynicism.  Is it steeped in negativity thus leading you to a never-ending distrust of situations and people?  Or can you turn it into something funny which brings people together through common experiences?

To get you thinking about this, here are some ways to turn healthcare cynicism into humor:

  • Cynicism:  The doctor never signs his orders.
  • Cynihumor:  I’m going to staple the orders to my forehead until the doctor realizes he needs to sign them.
  • Cynicism:  Mrs. Johnson will NOT stop pressing her call button.
  • Cynihumor:  I’ve attached my car battery to Mrs. Johnson’s call button.  Next time she pushes it she’ll be shocked when I come to her room.
  • Cynicism:  I hate meetings.
  • Cynihumor:  I love meetings because I can’t hear Mrs. Johnson’s call button.

Consider having a luncheon meeting where you and your colleagues turn your cynicisms into cynihumor.  It might be fun!

Ron

Tiger Woods and Incongruity

9 Aug, 2010  No Comment

One of the basic theories of humor involves the principle of incongruity. We laugh when we experience an incongruous event. A classic example is the man who steps over the banana peel but then falls into an open manhole. The incongruity occurs when what we expect doesn’t happen.  Ironically, there is a a connection (slapstick humor through which we laugh at someone’s misfortune) but not the connection we expect (slipping on a banana peel).  So, the humor comes from the less obvious connection which surprises us.  There lies the incongruity.

So, enough of the humor theory.  It’s impressive, I know, but probably putting you to sleep.  So what does this have to do with Tiger Woods?  I’m not sure but after seeing him blow up on the golf course this past weekend, I figured it would be a timely blog that might elevate me in the search engines. I just have to come up with a point.

So here goes.

For years, Tiger Woods appeared to have the perfect life.  He was the best golfer in the world.  He had a gorgeous wife and two beautiful children.  He made boatloads of money.  And he appeared to be focused on being very good at what he did. Problem was, he was secretly living a different, and secret, life.

Although I’m only speculating, it seemed that Tiger did not see the incongruity in his behavior.  Everything was was working for him – until it came out that he was having multiple affairs.  Then, the marriage, the golf, and the sponsors disintegrated. Essentially, a different kind of incongruity occurred.  Tiger was out of sync with what society saw as appropriate behavior. And now, he has lost his focus.

Two types of incongruity.  One is funny.  One is not.

So, what’s the difference?

In our behavior and our humor, I think we need a foundation of integrity.  If there is a disconnect between our integrity and our humor, neither work.  Many comedians admit that the audience has to like them, as a person, for their humor to work best. Even those who use profanity or caustic humor must be seen as a likable person or else the audience will not tolerate his/her approach.

So when you consider using humor, make sure your intention, your integrity, and your humor connect. That will give you the best chance for the incongruity of the humor to work.  Otherwise, just like Tiger, you may shank it!

Ron

Medical Humor Blog

2 Aug, 2010  No Comment

Just discovered a great new blog.  Check it out:  Medical Humor.

Ron

American Idol, Ellen Degeneres, and Humor

30 Jul, 2010  1 Comment

We learned today that comedian and talk show host Ellen Degeneres will not return next year as a judge on American Idol.  She indicated that it was not a good fit and that it was too time consuming.  Plus, she said she did not like hurting contestant’s feelings.  It’s a shame that she’s leaving because she had the potential of being a great job.  Potential, in my opinion, that was not realized.

Here’s my take on her role in American Idol.  She was a great judge of music and character but she wasn’t funny enough.

As a fan of comedy and American Idol, when I heard that she was a judge, I was thrilled.  I love her quirky, down-to-earth humor and I am mesmerized by her stand-up routine.  But halfway through the American Idol season, I was disappointed that she wasn’t using the humor for which she’s known.  It’s as if she wanted to appear more judgey than funny.  For what’s it worth, I’ve heard Al Franken is doing the same thing in his new role as  US Senator.  Apparently, he doesn’t want to be too funny or else the other politicians won’t take him seriously.  Puh-lease.  We don’t take politicians seriously to begin with.  But I digress.

Here’s the deal.  Humor is a gift.  A gift that should keep on giving.  Ellen Degeneres and Al Franken have natural talents that most of us would die for.  They should use those talents for their benefit and for ours.

I’m not suggesting that every comment Ellen Degeneres makes should be hilarious and I’m not suggesting that Al Franken do an SNL skit on the Senate Floor.  What I would suggest, however, is that they use their humor to engage, entertain, and reinforce their message.  If they do their job well AND they’re funny, viewers and voters will flock to support them.  It’s that simple.  And you can do the same thing in your job.

If any of you saw Harry Connick, Jr. on American Idol, you saw an excellent example of how it’s done.  He had great advice, great stage presence, and he was absolutely hilarious.  His banter made you like him even more.

Those eight of you who read my blog regularly should sit up and listen.  If you want to have a greater impact in your job or your life, consider tapping into humor as a powerful communication tool.

Remember what playwright George Bernard Shaw said, “If you’re going to tell people the truth, make them laugh.  Otherwise, they’ll kill you.”

Ron

Awkward Family Photos

28 Jul, 2010  No Comment

This site is hilarious.  Thanks to Mental Floss Blog for alerting me to it.  My apologies if any of my readers are featured on this site!

Awkward Family Photos.

Ron

Mental Floss is Candy for the Brain

26 Jul, 2010  No Comment

One of my favorite magazines is Mental Floss. They’re tag line is “Where knowledge junkies get their fix.” But it’s so much more than that.  It is a smart, funny, and totally addictive collection of facts and information. And it is THE best magazine for the bathroom ever because there are both long and short articles to suit your toiletry time frame needs.

Mental Floss is also an excellent tool for humor.  Not only is it fun to share interesting facts with friends and colleagues but the articles are often hilarious.  I highly recommend it.

You can subscribe to Mental Floss here:  Mental Floss Magazine

And you can follow their blog here:  Mental Floss Blog

Ron

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